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The Best Natural Cabbage Cures

| Modified on Mar 08, 2017
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The Medicinal Qualities of Cabbage

Uncooked Cabbage is high in glutamine, an amino acid that is essential for intestinal health. It has also been proven to be both antibacterial and antiviral. Cabbage contains Vitamin K (essential in the production of blood clotting proteins); potassium (helps regulate blood pressure); and quercetin (antioxidant that is a natural antihistamine that can benefit allergy sufferers).

The History of Cabbage

The Egyptians ate cabbage with vinegar before a night of drinking to prevent hangovers. Cabbage is still today considered one of the best remedies to cure hangovers! The Romans also ate cabbage to cure every imaginable ailment under the sun! They ate it raw with vinegar before and after each meal.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Traditional Uses of Cabbage:

Posted by Susan (USA)

CONSTIPATION
The juice of cabbages is often used to relieve constipation. The downside to cabbage juice is that it can cause gas, as the juice breaks down putrefying matter in the intestines!

CABBAGE CURES PAINFUL BREASTS FOR BREASTFEEDING
Cabbage leaf compresses are often suggested by herbalists to reduce swelling in moderate to severe engorgement of the breast during breastfeeding months. Cabbage has both antibiotic and anti-irritant properties -- it contains sinigrin (allylisothiocyanate) rapine, mustard oil, magnesium, oxylate and sulphur heterosides. It is theorized that this natural mixture of ingredients helps decrease tissue congestion by dilating (opening) local capillaries (small blood vessels) improving the blood flow in the area.

Instructions:
Rinse common green cabbage leaves and cut a hole for the nipple. Right before applying, crush the veins of the cabbage leaves with a rolling pin to break open the veins. Apply the cabbage leaves directly on the breast. Usually one or two leaves per breast works well. Make sure to cover all inflamed or engorged tissue. In 1-2 hours, when cabbage leaves wilt, remove the leaves and reapply fresh leaves. Repeat application 4-6 times, for a total of 8 hours. Use the cabbage leaves only until the engorgement subsides.

Warning: Prolonged use of cabbage leaves on the breast can reduce milk supply.
Warning: Discontinue cabbage leaves on the skin if skin breaks out, blisters or becomes irritated.
Warning: Cabbage is not recommended for individuals allergic to sulfa or cabbage!

READER WARNING
7/24/2007: Atalia from Greeley, CO writes: "I used whole cabbage leaves soaked in ice water and it significantly reduced the swelling of my engorged breasts. But the downside is that it greatly reduced my milk production! I used the cabbage leaves for only an hour and I have had troubles ever since trying to feed my infant because of the significant reduction of milk production. I know that the swelling hurts like a mother, but I would use it as a very last resort because I have had long lasting negative results from usage."

OBESITY TREATMENT
Cabbage is considered to be an excellent home remedy for obesity. Research has shown cabbage contains a chemical called tartaric acid, which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Substituting a meal with cabbage salad once a day is an excellent way to reduce weight.

CABBAGE CURES HEADACHES
Try eating raw cabbage to cure a headache. It is also a great cure for hangovers!

CABBAGE CAN HELP AN ENLARGED PROSTATE causing painful or dribbling urination
Recipe: Take common green cabbage, put it in boiling water, boil briefly until half cooked. Pour out half the water, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and a little cumin. Bring to another boil for about 3 minutes. Eat the cabbage and drink the juice from this recipe immediately. Once a day is best.

FOR WOUNDS
Recipe: Sterilize the wound, then apply ground cabbage twice a day. Grind fresh cabbage and apply to wounds or sores. Fresh ground cabbage will also bring a boil to a head and make it burst.

FOR BRUISING
Apply freshly ground cabbage to a bruise to heal it quickly.

FOR JOINT PAIN
Raw cabbage is one of the best vegetables you can take to ease inflammation of the joints. You can eat it however you like, just make sure it is fresh and uncooked! Herbalists suggest to eat fresh cabbage in the morning prior to any other food.

CABBAGE FOR BIRD FLU
Scientists at Seoul National University found that when they fed an extract of kimchi to 13 chickens infected with the bird flu, 11 of them recovered within a week. These same scientists previously proved that the lactic acid bacteria found in kimchi also has an anti-bacterial effect.

Replied by Alexander
(Jacksonville, Fl)
02/14/2013

A Question about the recipe for enlarged prostate: Why pour out half of the water? You can steam the cabbage in any amount of water in a well-covered pot and not need to dispose of any amount of water, which is a diluted juice. Anything wrong with this recipe modification?

Acid Reflux

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Posted by Carolyn (Jamaica) on 03/08/2017
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Acid reflux: I have tried bush cabbage, whereby you extract the juice by using a blender . I just take a 3 ounces of the liquid every morning for two weeks and it works like a charm.

Bloating

Posted by Kari (Calgary, Alberta) on 09/18/2010

Hello - I have had severe bloating for almost a year. My doctor suggested cabbage as a remedy. Due to my digestive challenges I can't eat raw veggies - would I benefit from boiling cabbage and drinking the water (almost like a tea I would suppose)? Thank you!

Replied by Crystal
(Salyersville, Ky, Usa)
09/18/2010

Cabbage acts like a diuretic. You can cook it, fry it or eat it raw. Either way should help the bloating... if it's due to fluid retention.

Replied by Friend
(Brasil)
09/18/2010

Raw cabbage is great for promoting good intestinal flora... That's why your doctor was suggesting it, it will completely change your digestion for the better. Boiling it will destroy most of its enzymes and other nutrients. Why don't you try eating it raw, starting from very little, working your way up? Another option would be to add it to daily green smoothies, or even making sauerkraut (very easy to do). Good luck!

Breasts, Sore/Engorged

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Posted by Ann (Paris, France) on 06/24/2009
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A few years ago, my daughter having had her baby and having chosen to breast feed her, began getting "knots" in her breasts. Apparently the baby was not drinking enough milk to have a smooth flow and the milk was causing congestion in the ducts. The result was very hard and painful swollen breasts.

I believe this is a situation that many nursing mothers face. We tried using fresh cabbage leaves and it worked miracles! Just take the individual leaves, dip in boiling water for a couple of minutes to soften; let cool till warm and wrap the breasts in 2 or 3 layers of leaves. Cover with a warm damp towel and leave for an hour or so, then repeat until the breasts have become supple once again.

Try it, it works! Cabbage works for alot of other types of congestion and swelling and even for wounds. It's a great home remedy.

Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Kim (Richmond, Va) on 07/19/2008
 ★★★★★

re: cabbage for PMS symptoms -- Each month when my breasts become sore I use cabbage leaves in my bra over night and the next morning the soreness is gone.

Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Nikki (Seattle, WA) on 03/20/2007
 ★★★★★

Cabbage helped decrease the swelling in my breasts due to engorgement. Nothing else worked. So, years later I decided to try it for breast swelling after breast augmentation. It also helped for that...though not as noticeably.

Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Tania (New Zealand) on 09/06/2006
 ★★★★★

I can recommend cabbage leaves on engorged breasts as a wonderful nurse in the Maternity, Annexe, suggested this odd remedy after the birth of my child, when my milk came in, and my breasts tripled in size! It really does work.

Broad Benefits

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Posted by Katie Beth (Linden, Ca) on 09/24/2010

I wish to make my testimonial contribution:

I got an informative email a few yrs back about cabbage cures & a link to a helpful website w/ testimonials, like this one... I often forget about how wonderful cabbage is, but when we use it, wow! So far, personally, we've used it for congestion (cabbage leafs over chest, wrapped in ace bandages, OVERNIGHT). We all got results to varying degrees. I just tried it (warm this time)on these 2 painful lumps I just found behind my knee. I only did it for a few hrs and the pain was about 80% gone for a few hours. It seems to work much better if left overnight, so I'll try that tonight. I also ate raw cabbage yesterday morning, not knowing half this, and expelled worms! ;)

As you can see, cabbage works. We've used it a few times for congestion, on my mother in law for hers..... And my grandma in her 80's, on her knee... She says she hasn't had any more knee trouble since she did the cabbage leaf cure I recommended. ;) The hard part is remembering this easy cure!! ;)

Cabbage pulls out toxins... Maybe it's the alkalinity of it... Or the sulphur... ?? But it works! ;)

Some apply it warm, some cold, some crush it, some don't... Some wrap in ace bandage, some in plastic wrap (I'm gonna try that next time! -Produces more sweating).... Some apply it externally, some ingest it.... As food or juice, which ever.... Either which way, it's working wonders! The hard part is remembering this easy cure!! ;) So don't you forget it!! ~Cabbage!! I did just find a website that warned the cabbage family can prevent thyroid function, so keep in mind. I'm currently getting mine checked... So being careful, but if it helps your gut health this much, surely I'd THINK (this in my opinion only- based upon all previous research, knowledge & learning) that once the gut is healed, the rest of the body will be able to be healed also... God is good! He gave the body the ability to heal itself!! -IF we just take care of our bodies diligently!! ;)

Eat the cabbage, drink the cabbage, wear the cabbage... Just use the cabbage, for crying out loud!! ;)

Blessings to you all! Katie-Beth

Replied by Tina
(Menlo Park, California)
01/09/2013

What an awesome post! Thanks for spreading the great cures. I tried eating a bowl of shredded green cabbage and raw ACV last night, my arthritis pain seemed to diminish a lot! It could be the sulfur in the cabbage as I heard lots of people who take MSM have the same positive affect on their joint pain. I will try the raw cabbage salad more regularly and will report back

Broad Benefits
Posted by Mujahid (Tobyhanna, Pennsylanvia) on 08/31/2008
 ★★★★★

I stopped eating meat, and started eating cabbage everyday, yes gas is part of what is expected, but my bowel movement is now regulated, my system is cleansed, stool is no longer dark and there is no unbearable smell. my weight is going down. And most of all I feel better physically. I juice 8 oz twice a day. And eat 1/4 pound per day. Basil and Fennel and black pepper for flavor.

Replied by Priya
(Bangkok, Thailand)
05/16/2009
★★★★★

Hi, just wanted to comment on cabbage juice and gas. If you read Sally Fallon's book "Nourishing Traditions" you will see that she advocates fermenting cabbage juice for a couple of days before consumption. I tried this and while the smell was not pleasant, I had no gas at all. You will need to use whey in the process but it's easy to produce. I would urge you all to start eating fermented vegetables regularly for intestinal flora too - highly beneficial.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Papia (India) on 01/03/2007
 ★★★★★

Raw Cabbage salad has cured my dry, flaky skin and fatigue : ). I started having raw cabbage salad every morning after exercise for the last few weeks and I wasnt feeling tired the whole day and to top that my skin started glowing & feeling smooth .... !! I sure do love cabbage and now its like a ritual for me to have a bowl of raw cabbage salad every morn`!

Broad Benefits
Posted by Carol (Southern NJ) on 10/29/2006
 ★★★★★

I eat about 1 cup of raw Savoy Cabbage a day with a meal. It relieved my roller coaster episodes of diahrrea in one day...and constipation for the next week. Also it helped with PMS. I can think more clearly, I have a higher energy level, my mood is improved, and I feel really healthy.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Carol (South Holland, IL) on 10/25/2006
 ★★★★★

Eating Raw Cabbage for stomach pain. Also used the cabbage leaves to relieve the pain in my breast after my baby was born, and to dry up the flow of milk. It stopped the stomach pain from fibroid tumors. I believe it will completely heal my stomach if I continue to eat both the red and green cabbage raw. The Lord told me to do this to relieve the pain and it worked! I never knew about the extensive healing properties found in the cabbage before.

Constipation, Weight Loss

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Posted by Balaram (Morden, Surrey, Uk) on 06/27/2011
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As I eat raw cabbage early in the mourning at emty stomach, it react me awefully and it relieved my constipetion. As cabbage has content of tartoric acid it helps me to reduce my weight as well. Thank to Earth Clinic.

Fermenting

Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci ) on 08/17/2011

Does the sauerkraut have the same effect on hypothyroid conditions as does other raw crucifers? Or does the fermantation process makes the cabbage go easy on the thyroid? Can I safely eat sauerkraut without worrying about it interferring with thyroid function? If it does interfere with thyroid function if eaten in large quanitties, is it ok to eat in small quanitities on a daily basis?

Replied by Sp
(Gc, Ci)
08/19/2011

Does anyone have an answer to this whether eating sauerkraut can worsen the Hashimoto's hypothyroid, as sauerkraut is made with cabbage, which is a Cruciferous vegetable which can cause problems for thyroid. I have been eating some sauerkraut as probiotic for the last 2 months, but want to be cautious as I have Hashimoto's disease.

Replied by Lisa
(Rabat, Morocco)
08/19/2011

From what I understand, fermented foods still can cause problems for the thyroid. The fermenting process does not get rid of the goitrogens and I believe it can actually make them more bioavailable. I think if you eat sauerkraut once in a while it is okay, but I wouldn't eat it everyday. There are probably better ways to get your probiotics.

Replied by Sp
(Gc, Ci)
08/20/2011

Thanks, Lisa. I will use the sauerkraut sparingly. Unfortunately, the other probiotics like Kefir is fermented milk, and I am allergic to milk. And Miso is fermented soy and soy again is not good for hypothyroid. I guess that leaves me with the option of probiotic pills.

Replied by Bob
(Attica, Ny)
08/20/2011

The best thing you can do for any thyroid condition is to take a good quality nascent iodine. It is different than the type of iodine in Lugal's Solution. It's in the atomic form, which is immediately absorbed by the body and goes straight to the thyroid. You want to take a 200 mcg dose in about 2 ounces of unchlorinated, unfluoridated water every 2-3 hours. Iodine is metabolized by the body in about 3 hours so small doses every few hours is better than one big dose a day. Also best taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Iodine is easily bound up and oxidized by proteins when mixed with foods, rendering it useless. Also nascent iodine is energizing, so it can cause sleep problems if taken before bed.

Contrary to false information spread by many ill informed doctors, iodine isn't added to bread and hasn't been since the 60's. It was replaced by bromide. In fact since then iodine has been replaced in all other foods with other halogens (bromide, fluoride and chloride) which makes the problem exponentially worse. They have essentially caused widespread thyroid problems and major iodine deficiencies. Those other halogens bind to thyroid receptors and prevent iodine from being absorbed. It takes a substantial amount of iodine (through loading) to shake those other halogens free from receptors and get them removed from the body. That is if you are not shooting yourself in the foot and constantly ingesting the other halogens (breads, fluoride toothpaste, chlorinated and/or fluoridated water) This will make the iodine you do take much more effective.

Good way to tell how efficiently your body is absorbing the iodine is by taking a standard 200mcg dose of nascent iodine and then pay attention to the color of your urine when using the restroom. Iodine will make your urine bright yellow, like B-vitamins do, so if it is bright yellow it is being poorly absorbed and passing right through you. Btw, if you think you are getting enough iodine by using iodized table salt, you are wrong. Not only is it a poorly absorbed form of iodine, but you would have to eat about 200 grams of it daily. The 2 best things a person can do for their health is to start supplementing with a high quality nascent iodine and remove all soy and all its bi-products (oils, proteins, lectins, lecithin, etc. ) from their diets. Everyone should be doing it.

Jasmine
(Kitchener, On)
05/29/2016

What is the reason to abstain from the soy products? Comment made at the end of your iodine post.

Replied by Maria
(Gippsland, Australia)
08/22/2011

There are miso's that you could use that are not made from soy but made from barley or rice, and they are yummy (if you like miso that is). You could try "water kefir". Just buy the water kefir grains and brew your own. Plus you could also make your own rejuvalac or kombuccha tea.

Replied by Sp
(Gc, Ci)
08/23/2011

Thanks Maria. I will try to locate Miso that does not contain soy.

Replied by Sp
(Gc, Ci)
08/23/2011

Bob, Thank you for suggestions re use of iodine. I'll print off your response and take to my doctor when I see her next and ask her advice. My doctor is quite good and understanding adn also takes into consideration how I feel and doesn't just rely on my blood test results.

Replied by Jc
(Boston, Ma)
08/23/2011

Since you mentioned you have Hashimotos you need to be careful with iodine. It can cause more inflamation in your thyroid and ultimately more damage. I am not saying don't take Iodine. Just be very cognizant of your body as you take it.

Dr. Brownstien who is a big proponent of taking Iodine(Lugols or Iodoral), believes Hashimotos is casue by a lack of iodine, He strongly recommends taking "Companion supplements" while taking Iodine. These have an antioxidant effect and help minimize or eliminate any inflamation. They include 3g or more of Vit C, Magnesium 400mg or more, Selenium 200-400mcg, and Unrefined Sea Salt. The salt helps detox the halogens clogging up the iodine receptors describe earleir.

Anyone with Hashi needs Vit D to help modulate the immune system. Get tested as you want your level to be 50-80. NAC is also a good idea to help with glutathione production. 500 mg 2x a day on an empty stomache. An excellent antioxidant!

Fermenting
Posted by Robin (Alamogordo, Nm) on 03/12/2011

If you find that the raw cabbage gives you gas, try fermenting it before eating it. Cabbage and its relatives want to ferment, so it's fermenting in your gut. To avoid this, just let it work in a jar and then eat it. All the fermantation is over and you get the same benefits, also its DELICIOUS.

Replied by Sp
(Gc, Ci)
03/21/2011

How would you ferment the cabbage? Can you please give the detailed process? Thank you.

Replied by Wendy
(Ontario, Canada)
03/21/2011

I would love to learn more too. I have been following Donna Gates teachings and using a culture - I did up a big batch in 3 different jars and thought I followed the youtube videos closely but it didn't turn out ;-) I had lock down jars and some of the brine leaked out of all of them in the first 2 days. I read online some say this is normal. But then my batches were too dry and I got mold on top ;-(

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
03/21/2011

Hi, here in the Alsace you can buy fermented cabbage everywhere, so can you in more European countries. Maybe you should ask where you live? Sometimes things do exist but we don't know where to find them. I buy it at my butcher's but also in any supermarket and you can eat it in many restaurants. Never tried to make it myself though....... Here it is called "choucroute", the Dutch call it "zuurkool", the Germans "sauerkraut"...

Replied by Adrienne
(Dayton, Ohio)
04/14/2011

I have a simple way to ferment cabbage...

1 head nappa cabbage, 1/2 onion(color no matter), 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 tsp soy sauce, 1/4 apple, 1/4 cup red pepper paste

cut up your cabbage and put into a big bowl with the salt... Let wilt till it about half of what it was. While your waiting blend up your onion and apple to a paste and set aside, then blend the red pepper flakes till it is a power add a few drops of water to make a paste. When cabbage is wilted enough drain the water and wash off the salt. I pat dry with a towel. Add to your bowl of cabbage all other items.. And mix well.. This will be a bit spicy.. When it is mixed together I put it in a glass mason jar with a lid.. And keep in the fridge it will last about a mo... I eat it with rice or beans but I do it every day for my joints and other issues.

Replied by Bev
(Long Beach, Ca)
04/14/2011

This sounds like kem chi. I love Kim Che.


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